Mary Chesnut's Diary

Written from 1861 to 1865, this diary offers a unique perspective on the Civil War through the eyes of Mary Chesnut, who was deeply embedded in the Confederacy's elite. As the daughter of a plantation owner and wife of an aide to Jefferson Davis, she provides firsthand accounts of significant events and figures of the era. Her entries reflect the complexities of race, status, and power during a tumultuous time, making it one of the most important memoirs of the conflict, rich in both personal insight and historical context.